To See the Light By the JG Pen Guins "Ow!" "What's a matter?" "I got a glath thsplinter in my finga." "Cap, we got a code I here," Chet yelled to his boss. "Oh go practithe thetting your thkis on fire," Gage said as he continued to suck on his finger. Roy walked into the kitchen and saw Johnny with his wounded pinkie in his mouth. "What's wrong with him?"  Roy asked Chet. "The big baby has a splinter." "I'm not a big baby."  Johnny answered, annoyed with Chet's teasing. "Okay, Johnny, lemme see your finger."  Roy walked over to his partner, showing some slight concern.  It was Roy's experience that Johnny complained about the littlest of problems, but was quite brave when faced with major catastrophes. Johnny batted him away.  "I don't need your help!"  Johnny walked over to the sink and ran the water over his hand.  Chet and Roy walked over to watch.  Roy had an ear-to-ear grin on his face. Marco, Mike and Captain Stanley walked into the kitchen and stopped at the door. "What's going on?"  The Captain asked. "The big baby here has a splinter."  Chet announced. "Ow!"  Johnny said as Roy tried to get his hand.  "Lemme alone Roy.  I can handle it."  Johnny took a paper towel to dry his hand and he walked out of the kitchen toward the apparatus bay. The guys just chuckled knowing how temperamental their junior paramedic was. Roy followed Johnny to the squad where his partner had their equipment on the floor.  Johnny held the tweezers as he tried to remove the sliver.  Roy stood and watched his partner try to extract the glass.  After Johnny's third unsuccessful attempt, and a mouthful of expletives, Roy went over to him. Crouching down next to his partner he said, "here, lemme help you."  Roy took the tweezers out of Johnny's hand without a word from him.  Johnny closed his eyes as Roy looked at the wounded finger. "I think I got it."  Roy said as he extracted a shard of glass.  Johnny opened his eyes.  Roy put the tweezers back in the case and took some antiseptic spray and a Band-Aid out.  After spraying the finger, he gave the Band-Aid to his wounded partner. "Aren'tcha gonna finish the job?"  Johnny said in all sincerity with his puppy dog eyes staring at his partner.  Roy laughed.  "You remind me of Chris."  He said that as he applied the bandage on the finger.  A big grin appeared on Johnny's face.  He stood up and patted Roy on the back.  "Thanks pardna."  Johnny started to walk away. "Ah Johnny?"  Roy said as he stood up. "Hmmm?"  Johnny said. "I think you have some things to put away."  Roy pointed to the equipment. "Oh, yeah right."  Johnny walked back and put the boxes back in the squad.  Once he was done, he turned around and saw Roy still standing there. "What's up, Roy?"  Johnny asked with a bit of concern. "I just wanted you to know that I got to leave early today.  I think I forgot to tell you this morning.  I've got to take Chris to his band practice tonight.  JoAnne would usually, but she's got the flu you know. "What time are you leaving?"  Johnny asked. "Cap said that Adam Pratt would be here at six and work the rest of the shift.  Do you know him, Johnny?" Johnny nodded his head, "Yeah, we met awhile ago."  It's been some time, but he and I use to hang around together.  We were on the same bowling team and afterwards, we'd go out, ya know. Grab a couple beers, check out the chicks."  Johnny said flashing Roy a wink and grinning strongly.  "Once he got married to Janice, those things stopped."  Johnny started walking back to the kitchen, thinking to himself, 'Adam.  That should be good, a chance to work with him.  I've got lots to catch up on.' *&*&*&*&* A half-hour before he was to be on shift, Adam walked through the back door leading into the kitchen. "Knock, knock," he said. Roy looked up from working on dinner preparations. "You must be Roy."  Adam said extending his hand. Placing the pot on the stove, Roy wiped his hands on his apron and smiled.  "Yes, I'm Roy DeSoto.  Good to meet you Adam." "Where's Johnny?" Adam asked glancing around the expanse of the room. "You must have just barely missed him, he was headed outside to his truck, I think."  Roy said pointing out the kitchen window.  As expected, Johnny was outside peering under the hood of his Rover.  A smile appeared on Adam's face. Walking outside, Adam quietly headed over to Johnny.  Roy stood at the door watching and grinning.  Sneaking up behind his friend, who delved deeper into the engine compartment of his truck, Adam grabbed his feet and pushed Johnny further inside. "Hey, what's the big idea?"  Johnny shouted, although his voice was muffled.  He began to lose his balance but was caught by Adam. Johnny looked over his shoulder and saw his friend Adam.  "Why you sonovabitch.  How the hell are you?"  Johnny climbed out from his car, brushing his dirty hands on his slacks. Adam couldn't stop laughing.  "I guess all those pigeon stories I hear about you are true."  He said.  "I'm doing good John. How about you? How are you doing?" "Ah you know me.  I'm invincible.  Neither monkey virus, snakebite or car crash can keep me down."  Johnny grinned broadly.  He changed his tone before asking, "How's Janice?" "Janice is great.  We're expecting our first in a couple of months!"  Adam beamed. "Really!  Man I'm happy for you."  Johnny patted him on the back. The two walked back to the kitchen. "Have you met Roy, my partner?"  Johnny asked. "Yeah, I met him.  What did ya make for dinner, it smells good?"  Adam asked. "I made chicken stew." "Stew?!"  Johnny said making a face. "STEW!"  Roy said. Seconds later the apparatus bay door could be heard opening. "I guess the engine is back," Roy said walking over to the stove. "What smells so good?  Marco asked hurrying through the kitchen door. The other three followed close behind. "Stew!" Johnny stated with frustration. Glancing up, he added, "What'd you guys do, take a bath in the soot?" "Keep it up Gage and I'll paint that face of yours black," Chet chimed, reaching up with his blackened hand. Seeing the hand coming for him, Johnny jumped out of the way in the nick of time. "Touch me Chet and that will be the last thing you do today." "Uuoooo, Gagey baby has his dandruff all ruffled. Better watch out Marco, or fang here will have you for dessert." "Enough Chet," Hank voiced rather loudly. "I love stew."  Marco said rubbing his stomach.  He went to the latrine to wash up. Adam laughed and shook his head. Walking over to the Captain, he extended his hand.  "Adam Pratt reporting for duty, Captain Stanley." Stanley smiled through a sooty stained face.  "Welcome to 51s Adam.  Why don't you have John show you where you can stow your stuff.  We've got to clean up and then we can have dinner." "Aw, Cap, I'm hungry." Chet moaned. "Kelly, latrine now." Hearing his Captain's request, Johnny motioned for Adam to follow him from the kitchen and away from the grimy crew. "Is Chet always that way?" Adam asked as he and Johnny walked across the apparatus bay. "No. There are times, he's worse." "How do you stand him?" "Hey, if he wasn't picking on me, he'd probably be picking on someone else. And you know me, everything rolls off my back. Besides I get a good lick in once in a while." "In your dreams, Gage," Chet bellowed from the latrine. Johnny shook his head. "Come. I'll show you the dorm first and then if we are lucky, Chet will be done in the latrine before we go in there." "Lead away, my friend," Adam replied. "These two bunks are where Chet and Marco sleep." Johnny pointed out as he entered the room. "These two on the other wall are mine and Roy's." "Lucky you," Adam chuckled. "Right across from the prankster himself." "At least that way I can keep an eye on him and know what he's up to." "I suppose. So, where do I bunk." "Well, since Roy is gonna be gone tonight and you will be my partner, you may as well use his bunk." "Great, Lemme get my stuff from the car and you can show me where to stow it."  Several minutes later, Adam returned with his bag in hand. "I already told you Gage, I didn't rig anything up. Not in your locker and not in any of the spare lockers," Chet griped on his way to the kitchen. Adam stood back and laughed. "He really has you spooked, doesn't he?" "Me!" Johnny said splaying his hand on his chest. "Na. He doesn't get to me. I was just havin' a little fun bugging him. He knows better than to pull anything on you. I had Cap get on his case." Johnny replied grinning. "Okay, John, have it your way. Now, about this," Adam asked pointing to his bag. "Come on, it's in here." Johnny replied opening the locker room door.   "You'll also find the facilities in here too. Hate to tell you this, but we have one shower and one toilet, so you may have to wait in line." "Wonderful," Adam clucked, "and to think this is supposed to be a new station." "What can I say? I think when they built it, they forgot there was going to be six men working here." Johnny replied. Opening the locker door next to Roy's, Johnny pointed. "Here you go. You can have this one." "Thanks," Adam replied tossing the bag inside the locker. "Now, how about we go check out the chow." Johnny scrunched his face, "If you insist." Both Johnny and Adam were talking about old times when they entered the kitchen. Noticing Roy setting the table, Adam walked over to him. "Hey Roy, I'll do that.  Why don't you go on home now." Roy smiled and patted Adam on the back.  "Thanks, Adam.  Next time we meet, we should talk more."  Roy said as he took the apron off and left the kitchen. One by one, the refreshed engine crew came into the kitchen.  Each man introduced himself to Adam and then took a seat at the table, joining Johnny.  Adam grabbed the pot and brought it to the center of the table.  The pot got passed around.  A frenzy of hands poured milk, broke bread, passed food. Everyone was eating, as Roy walked back into the kitchen, dressed in civilian clothes.  "See ya guys next shift.  Hope you're not toned out."  A big smile was on his face as he made that statement. Four men groaned hearing their buddy's words, knowing its implications. Within minutes of Roy's departure, the tones sounded. "Squad 51, unknown type rescue.  8411 Sycamore. 8-4-1-1 Sycamore.  Time out 17:45." As Adam and Johnny stood up, Johnny grabbed his milk and swallowed it down. Then followed his temporary partner out into the bay. "We'll keep your dishes warm."  Stanley said as his two men ran to their rig. Johnny jumped into the driver's seat, wearing a milk mustache.  Adam acted as the navigator. *&*&*&*&* The unknown type rescued turned out to be a man whose hand was caught in a wall.  It was an uneventful rescue that didn't need any hospital follow-up. On the way back to the station with Johnny driving, the two men were talking. "So Gage, our first rescue together.  What's gonna be next?  Getting a cat out of a tree?"  Adam laughed which caused Johnny to laugh. "So things are going well with you and Janice." "Couldn't be better John.  She's the best thing that ever happened to me.  Too bad I got to her first.  But he who hesitates, loses."  Adam laughed. Johnny flared his finger out on his chest.  "I didn't hesitate.  She just wasn't my type." "Oh yea, blonde, 5'6" with legs that don't quit, isn't your type.  Since when, Gage?" "Oh since.  I don't know.  Shut up.  I gotta concentrate to drive." "I don't know Johnny.  Can you do two things at once?" Johnny looked at Adam and the two laughed.  It was a very nice feeling to find that their friendship that they formed many years ago still existed. The two returned to the station.  It turned out to be a quiet night for all and the crew turned in for some much needed sleep. "Station 51….. Structure Fire   -   2045 Lincoln Highway 2-0-4-5- Lincoln Highway.  Time out 4:45." All six men jumped into their turnouts and ran toward their spots on their perspective vehicles.  Captain Stanley answered the call, gave a copy of the address to Johnny, and then hurried over to climb aboard Big Red. The two vehicles turned on their sirens as they pulled out of the station. As they approached the scene, they found an abandoned warehouse fully involved. "Lopez, Kelly, grab an inch and a half and take it from the left.  Pratt, Gage, take and inch and a half, and take from the right.  LA, this is station 51.  We have an abandoned warehouse fully involved.  Respond a second alarm." "Ten-four 51." Johnny and Adam ran to the Ward and Johnny stepped up on the running board and pulled down the inch and a half hose.  Johnny, in the lead on the hose, turned to the right spraying the flames with water as they advanced into the building. Adam stood behind Johnny as they manned the hoses.  An explosion rocked the building with its percussion, slamming its wave into the firefighters knocking both Johnny and Adam off their feet.   Somehow, Chet and Marco managed to remain standing as debris showered around them. Adam quickly got to his feet and then extended his hand to Johnny, pulling him up.  Quickly, the two men resumed their position, however, Adam had the lead on the hose this time. After several hours, several men, and several pieces of equipment, the blaze was knocked down and extinguished.  While many of the men remained to do overhaul, many more were relieved to head back to their stations. Among the ones who stayed was station 51's A-shift. Although weary, they put their attention toward mopping up so they too, could go home. Once the clean up was complete and the equipment used was stowed, they were ready to head back to the barn. It was well after 8:00am and each of the men knew B shift would be waiting for the rig and squad. Adam noticed Johnny favoring his right leg as they walked toward the squad.  "What's wrong Gage, did the fire bite you?"  He asked with a sense of humor coupled with a tinge of concern for his friend's welfare. "Nah, I'm okay.  I think I pulled a muscle in my back when I fell."  Johnny arched his back to stretch it. "Lemme take a look at it."  Adam demanded. Johnny looked squarely at his friend.  "NO.  I'm okay.  Will ya leave me alone? When we're off, I'll go home and soak.  Geesh you're just like Roy!" Adam lowered his head and shook it. "Grouch!" He mumbled, and then added.  "Gimme the keys.  I'm gonna drive."  Adam extended his right hand to emphasis that he wanted the keys. Johnny looked at Adam and agreed.  He didn't see any harm in letting Adam drive home.  Adam walked to the driver's side and got in.  Johnny walked around to assume his normal position. "Hey Gage, what's a matter?  Got a cramp in your leg?"  Chet hollered. Adam didn't like Chet's tone and didn't know the relationship the phantom had with his pigeon. "Hey Chet, leave him alone.  He pulled a muscle."  Adam snapped. Johnny laughed.  "You don't have to defend me Adam.  That's Chester's way of showing he cares." "Huh?" Johnny laughed again.  "Yeah, Chet and I have a love hate relationship.  He loves to tease me and I hate it when he does." Adam looked at Johnny and shook his head as he stepped into the vehicle, truly confused about Johnny and Chet's relationship.  He adjusted the mirrors as he pulled the squad into the street.  The morning traffic was picking up as people were driving to work and parents were taking their children to school.  Mike pulled Big Red out into the street behind the Squad and followed them back to the station Adam didn't know his way around the area too well, so he was taking the ride back slowly. "Adam?" "What?" "You think we can get back to 51s before C shift ends?"  Johnny inquired with a huge grin. "Huh?" "You're going awfully slow, buddy." Adam looked at Johnny, smiled and accelerated the vehicle.  It was that one minute of looking away that changed the lives of Station 51's A-shift forever. *&*&*&*&* "Hey Kip, gimme that."  Kevin pointed to the cinder block. "Whaddya gonna do with that?"  Kip asked his friend.  The two boys were walking to school.  They paused on the overpass to watch the cars, trucks and buses travel below. "You'll see."  Kevin laughed then took the cinder block from his friend.  He hoisted it over his head and threw it down. "HEY!  Why'd you do that?"  Kip asked. "Cause. I felt like it." Kevin stated. "Man you're sick." Suddenly the boys heard the cinder block hit a vehicle.  When they looked over the railing, their eyes became wide with horror at seeing a fire department squad out of control and hitting an oncoming vehicle. *&*&*&*&* The brick came down from the overpass and its force shattered the safety glass.  The impact caused Adam to lose control of the squad.  The squad careened off a car head on and then slid down into a gully, picking up speed before impacting a tree. Johnny was tossed around during this event and witnessed the devastating events.  He saw something hit the windshield, causing Adam to lose control of the squad.  Adam wasn't wearing his seatbelt.  Neither was Johnny.  The impact of the squad hitting the car caused Adam's head to connect with the shattered windshield.  Johnny saw the glass plunge into Adam's face, eyes and lips.  Johnny heard the sickening sound of Adam's body hitting the steering wheel and the sound the Adam involuntarily made from the impact.  The sound of Adam's bones breaking continued as the squad fell into the gully. When the chaos stopped, all Johnny heard was the settling noises.  Although greatly injured, Johnny never lost consciousness.   He witnessed his partner being mangled by this horrendous event. Adam's body was on top of the steering wheel.  He started coughing.  He turned his head and he moved his right arm outward as if looking for something. "Johnny?"  He weakly said as he grabbed onto Johnny's blue jacket. Adam grabbed the jacket - grabbing out for human comfort, knowing he was going to die. Johnny tried to move to Adam, but couldn't because of a tearing pain in his ribcage and being pinned by the collapsed vehicle.  Through his foggy brain, Johnny realized Adam needed reassurance that he wasn't alone; Adam was terrified.  With all of his training, Johnny knew that Adam was in bad, if not fatal shape.  He heard Adam's breathing become more labored.  Johnny tried to say something to Adam but nothing came out of his mouth.  He moved his broken left arm out to reach to Adam. "Johnny?"  Adam said, straining to get the words out.  Then there was silence.  Johnny saw Adam's last breath.  Adam's right arm fell to his side with Johnny's jacket still in his hand.  His body slouched.  With all of Johnny's pain and confusion, he tried to move to Adam, but the squad was too damaged to let Johnny budge, as he was trapped.  But, Johnny knew Adam died.  He knew he witnessed his friend's horrible death and he couldn't do anything about it. He couldn't offer his friend any comfort in his last moments of life.  Wild crazy thoughts ran through his mind.  He closed his eyes, hoping the horrible incident he witnessed was just a dream.  But he opened his eyes, ignoring the tearing sensation in his left eye and saw it wasn't.  He finally succumbed to unconsciousness. *&*&*&*&* Mike couldn't believe what he saw happening in front of him.  A brick came from the overpass and impacted the squad.  He saw the squad lose control and crash into another car head on before coming to a stop in a gully. He applied the breaks, startling a dozing Kelly and Lopez. "What the hell just happened?"  Stanley said.  Picking up the mike, "LA, this is Station 51.  Squad 51's been in an accident.  Code I times two respond another squad and three ambulances." "Station 51." The truck came to a stop.  All four men exited.  "Kelly, you check the occupants of the car.  Mike, grab the reel line and wash down the gas/oil.  Lopez, come with me." Stanley and Lopez ran to the damaged squad.  The passenger side was leaning against a tree.  Lopez ran to that side of the vehicle while Stanley checked on the driver. Stanley had to swallow the bile rising in his throat as he peered into the cab of the rescue squad. Blood was splattered everywhere, the windshield shattered.   Stanley carefully put his hand in through the open window and placed his fingers on Adam's neck. "Shit," he whispered, not finding a pulse.  Just to be sure, he took his other hand and checked again, but he could not detect a pulse.  It was apparent that Adam died hitting the steering wheel. While Stanley was doing this, Lopez determined he couldn't get Johnny out without equipment, as the tree blocked the door.  "Cap, we're gonna need the jaws to get Johnny out.  How's Adam?" Stanley looked at Lopez but didn't answer.  It was the first time in his career that he lost one of his men during his shift.  Even though Adam was working overtime, he thought of any man under his charge as part of his crew.  "How's Johnny?  Did you find a pulse?" He asked, fearing the worst. "Yeah, Cap, I checked his carotid and found a weak pulse.  Looking in, though, I don't like what I see on his face.  The windshield glass broke an' he's got a lot of cuts on his face. What about Adam, Cap?" Stanley closed his eyes momentarily and shook his head letting Lopez know. *&*&*&*&* Johnny couldn't figure out why he didn't want to move.  He felt like he was just coming out of a deep sleep, only sort of different.  He felt somehow … strange.  Lightheaded, maybe.  He remembered that was telling Adam … something … 'what was it?'  He just couldn't think with all those voices around him.  That one sounded like Marco … he was talking about windshield glass.  'Hmm … strange topic.'  Johnny felt something solid pressing against his right side … he must be leaning to his right on the arm of the couch in the dayroom.  No, this didn't feel like the arm of the couch.  The smells were not like the dayroom, either.  Gasoline and … and … something else.  Was it … blood?  Oh, God!  That thing … whatever it was that smashed into the windshield … then the screeching tires and the violent swerving of the squad … Adam?  ADAM?  Johnny tried to open his eyes and call to Adam.  It took great effort, but his eyes opened.  His left eye burned as he attempted to open it, but he did open it.  The sight that greeted him was far beyond any horror he could have expected.  He'd seen victims of accidents, bombings and other violence mutilated like this before, but they had never been people he knew well!  Not dear friends with whom he shared so much!  He tried to lean toward Adam, but the pain in his ribs struck him with such force that his attempt to call out turned into a cry expressing his own agony.  Then Johnny remembered seeing Adam take his last breath.  He had to close his eyes.  Only then was he at peace. "Johnny, don't move!  Cap, he's coming around!"  Marco placed his hand on Johnny's shoulder in an attempt to hold him still, but it wasn't necessary.  Johnny's eyes slid shut and his face turned white as bone as he sank limply back against the squad's door. "He needs help quick," Marco added anxiously.  "He's losing color, and I'm afraid he's got some internal bleeding." Cars were slowing down as they passed the wreckage, sometimes so their drivers could enjoy a good, long look at the scene and tell everybody about it around dinner later.  But at least they were avoiding Mike as he hosed down the escaping fuel and Chet as he hurried toward the squad with the Jaws.  "The lady in the other car seems okay, just shook up," Chet said to Hank.  "How about Adam and Johnny?" Hank was still leaning on the driver's door with both hands.  He was looking down, apparently at his feet.  He didn't respond to Chet's question. "Cap?  Cap, you okay?"  Chet walked up besides the tall man, putting his arm on his back. "Yeah … yeah …  Alright, we need to get Johnny out of there, quick.  Dammit, where's that squad and ambulance?!"  Stanley knew he had to regain his composure for his crew.  He put Johnny and Adam out of his mind for the moment and his proficiency returned. In the distance, a siren became audible.  Mike, still hosing down fuel as it trickled from the squad, glanced in that direction, hoping to see another squad approaching.  He didn't, but noticed that vehicles in the direction they had driven from were apparently swerving to avoid something in the road.  It looked like a small box.  He then remembered that an object about that size bounced off the squad and into the road just before it seemed to lose control.  He thought at the time that it was a piece of equipment falling from the squad.  He looked at the front of the squad then, and saw that its windshield was caved in with a large, angular dent on the frame.  Parts of the glass were virtually opaque now from an infinite number of spider web-like breaks running over its entire area.  Although it was safety glass, it couldn't maintain it's integrity and shards were evident in the cab of the squad and on the faces and bodies of both paramedics. Mike looked back at the box-like thing in the road, and then farther in the distance to the underpass both vehicles had traveled through.  There were still two small bodies standing on the highway above, peering toward the scene of the accident.  Mike switched off the spray from the nozzle and moved to talk to Hank, just as two Los Angeles police cars pulled up to the scene with lights flashing. "Hey Cap, do you see that over there?"  Mike asked as he pointed to the box-like thing. Captain Stanley looked in the direction Mike pointed.  One of the police officers came by and the other officer went to where the men were pointing. Vince came back holding the cinder block.  "It looks like this doesn't belong in the road."  He handed it to Stanley.  Mike looked up at the two kids and made eye contact with one of them.  The smaller kid hit his friend and the two started to run away. "Vince, those kids are involved somehow."  Vince followed Mike's gaze. "Saunders, take your car and find those kids." "Yes, Vince."  And Saunders left.  The sirens of a squad and an ambulance were heard.  The three remaining men went back over to the squad to help Kelly and Lopez with their extrication. A few long seconds later, another squad arrived at the scene with Brice and Bellingham.   Bellingham paused when he saw the crushed frame of 51's squad.  Brice pushed his glasses back up on his face and hurried over to Stanley. "We have a code F Brice."  Stanley said matter of fact. "DeSoto?"  Brice asked, his expression not changing. Stanley shook his head no. "Gage then."  Brice stated. "No, Brice, Roy was off and Adam Pratt took Roy's place." Stanley said, annoyed at Brice's aloofness. "Oh I see. I better see how Gage is."  Brice walked to the wrecked side of the cab and saw Lopez and Kelly using the Jaws of Life.  Bellingham was on the driver's side on the squad, confirming Stanley's statement.  The Captain was watching him and Bellingham nodded his head, agreeing with what Stanley already knew, a code F.  Bellingham's faced paled with the knowledge of what he just confirmed. "LA, this is station 51.  We have a code F.  Notify the coroner."   Chet stopped to listen to what his Captain said.  He didn't know Adam but knew he was a friend of Gage's.  'Shit, this is gonna be tough on him.'  He thought.  He continued to work the equipment and was able to open the door. Brice took over and began to access Johnny who was slouched in the seat, pinned in.  Most of his lithe body was in front of the seat, with the rest spilling onto the floor.  Johnny's head was visible and Brice saw the numerous cuts on his face.  He also noticed glass shards implanted on Johnny's cheeks, nose and forehead. Brice took Johnny's arm and got his pulse, weak, but there.  He felt about Johnny's neck for any signs of broken bones.  He moved his hands down, still seeing if there were any signs of injury.  Johnny moaned as Brice palpated his abdomen.  Johnny moved his left arm to remove the offending source of pain. "Take it easy Gage.  It's me, Brice.  I'm just checking your abdomen.  You've been in an accident." Very weakly Johnny asked, "Roy?" Brice smiled, knowing the relationship those two shared.  "Roy is fine.  It's you, once again.  Now stop talking and let me do my job." Brice stood up and found his partner next to him.  "We're going to need a cervical collar, a back board, a splint, and I want a BP cuff and stethoscope.  Before Brice had the last of his words out of his mouth, he was handed the cuff and stethoscope. "Gage, stop that!  Don't touch your face."  Brice ordered.  Kelly saw Johnny trying to scratch his face due to the glass.  He walked over to his wounded pigeon. "Hey Johnny, gimme your hand." Johnny heard what Chet asked and reflexively moved his hand. "Now I'm gonna hold your hand, Gage, but don't get any funny ideas."  Chet thought he saw Johnny smile, but it was wishful thinking. Bellingham established the link to the base, while Brice took vitals, secured the collar, and backboard.  Together, Brice, Kelly, Lopez and Stanley helped remove Johnny from the squad.  Mike took one of the yellow blankets and placed it over Adam's body.  Each man had the misfortune to look inside the squad's cab and see how mutilated the squad was and how it was soaked in blood. With Johnny on the ground, Bellingham and Brice completed their full medical evaluation and began to administer treatment as per requested by Rampart.  Bellingham swore as he saw how injured his co-worker was. They had to tape Johnny's hand to the backboard, as he was agitated.  He kept trying to touch his face to remove the glass.  After the Diazepam was added to the IV, Johnny settled a bit, but he still attempted to pull at his face.  Brice and Bellingham secured Johnny's head to the backboard so nothing would brush against his face.  His eyes were also wrapped with gauze, just in case any glass fragments were embedded.  It was just a precaution. Chet hovered nearby helping the paramedics.  He kept talking to Johnny to calm him down "Come on Johnny, hang in there.  I . . . " Chet's voice broke with emotion, he swallowed hard, and continued.  "Don't make me have to break in another pigeon, okay, pal?"   It took all of Chet's resolve not to get upset, seeing all the slivers and cuts on Johnny's face.  There was even concern of glass fragments in his eyes. In the meantime, the coroner arrived and was taken to Pratt's body.  Within minutes, Chief McConnikee arrived too.  He walked over to Stanley. "What happened Hank?" "The police think someone threw that cinder block," Stanley pointed "from the overpass.  It hit the squad, causing them to hit that car and crash into the gully." The Chief looked at the overpass and swore. "Who's the fatality, Gage or DeSoto?" "It's Adam Pratt.  He was subbing for DeSoto." "I see.  I will contact his wife, if you want." Stanley shook his head and paused.  "No, that's okay Chief. He was one of my men for the tour and I'll let his wife know."  "How's Gage?" "Bad."  Stanley stated then walked away to watch Brice and Bellingham load Johnny into the ambulance.  Brice climbed into the vehicle behind the stretcher. "Cap, can I go in with him?"  Chet asked, his eyes pleading. Stanley looked over at the Chief, who nodded his head. "Sure Pal, go on in and let us know." "Who's gonna call Roy?"  Chet asked. "I will, Chet.  Don't worry about that, Pal." Chet climbed into the ambulance and settled himself next to Johnny.  Stanley closed the doors and thumped twice. Then the ambulance pulled out, heading for the hospital, Bellingham following close behind with the squad. Hank shook his head, partly from grief, and partly from anger.  Over the next few minutes, Hank spoke to McConnikee, going over the details of the accident. Finally, he said, "Chief, I'm going to call DeSoto and let him know." "Okay, Hank," McConnikee replied, a pained look in his eyes. He knew all too well how hard it was to contact loved ones and friends, to inform them of tragic events. Walking over to the corner, Stanley dug around in his pants pocket for some change. Popping the coins into the phone, he dialed Roy's number from memory. Drained, Hank leaned his head against the phone. He listened to the rings, and waited for someone to answer. "Hello?" "Hi JoAnne.  This is Hank Stanley.  Are you feeling better?" "Yes, Hank, I think the worst part of the flu is over." "Good.  Ah can I speak with Roy?"  Cap tried very hard to keep his voice steady. "Sure, hang on." Hank heard JoAnne call for Roy.  He could hear some muffled conversation and the phone receiver changing hands. "Hi Cap."  Roy was a bit confused, not expecting to hear from his boss on his day off. "Roy.  The squad was in an accident returning to the barn.  Johnny's already en route to Rampart.  I thought should know." Roy couldn't believe what he just heard.  "Cap, would you mind repeating that?"  Roy's voice was an octave higher. "Yeah Roy, you heard correctly.  We were returning to the station.  It looks like some kids threw a brick from the street above, hitting the squad dead center on the windshield." "Oh my God.  How's...how's Johnny?" "He has cuts on his face from the broken windshield, Roy. He was drifting in and out of consciousness here at the scene. Brice and Bellingham placed him on a backboard and secured a collar around his neck. He's probably got some internal injuries, too.  I really don't know the extent of his injuries, Roy." Taking a deep breath, Roy ran his hand through his thinning hair. "Aha, Cap.  What about Adam?"  Roy bit his lip waiting for an answer he was certain he wasn't gonna like. Stanley knew this would be the next question.  "Sorry, Pal, but he didn't make it."  He heard Roy exhale, knowing this information was quite disturbing. "I'm gonna head over to Rampart, Cap." "Okay Pal, I'll see ya there, later." Stanley said, but already he was listening to the dial tone. *&*&*&*&* "Man, that fireman's looking at us!  Let's get outta' here!" Kip punched Kevin in the shoulder and took off running.  Kevin continued to stare at the scene for a few more seconds, and then turned away to follow Kip.  They hurried along the road as it sloped downward on the far side of the freeway.  Just before they lost sight of the accident scene, Kevin slowed down to peer in that direction one last time.  He could now see a police car that had been parked down below with the fire engine and mangled fire truck pulling off the freeway and onto the access road that led to the stretch of road the boys had just been standing on.  Whether or not the police car was actually looking for them, Kevin knew he didn't want to risk being anywhere around the area. "Come on!" Kevin squealed, running past Kip.  Kip picked up on Kevin's increasing panic and the boys' feet pounded hard against the ground as they rushed to get completely away from the area.  For the first time in years, Kevin found himself eager to get to the sanctuary of the school where he'd be safely surrounded by other students and less of a suspect.  He'd never expected the cinder block would do that much damage!  He'd thought it would, maybe, make a dent in some old lady's Lincoln and scare her half to death.  That would have been funny, and then he would have looked like a big guy to Kip.  But it had completely shattered the windshield of that little fire truck!  And the truck had hit another car, and then run off the road!  And then they'd even had to put a fireman in an ambulance and take him to a hospital.  Oh, jeez…Kevin really hoped the guy hadn't been too badly hurt. Kevin could see the middle school about half a block ahead.  There were still a few other students arriving and drifting into the building.  Kevin and Kip slowed to a walk to join them, their hearts pounding and their breath coming in deep gasps. "Hey," Kip said, jogging a few paces to catch up with Kevin as they entered the building.  "What if they find out it was you?" "Me?" "Yeah, that threw that brick!" "You were there, too, asshole!" "Yeah, but I didn't throw it!  You did!" "You were there!  So you're in just as much trouble as me!" "I am?" Kip gasped. "Yep.  That's the law.  So if you want to stay out of jail, you better not say nothin'.  You know what I mean?" Kip turned pale and stopped walking.  "But…I didn't do anything…I was just there…" "That's the law," Kevin insisted.  "You were there when it happened, so you're just as guilty as the person who threw it." "I didn't know that…" "Yeah, well, you better keep quiet.  Or you and I BOTH will get in big trouble.  Ya' got me?" Kip stood and stared into Kevin's icy, intimidating face.  Finally, he croaked out, "Yeah." *&*&*&*&* The ambulance arrived at Rampart.  Brice assisted the attendants in taking Johnny out.  Although Brice maintained his professional demeanor, he was bothered about what happened as he had time in the ambulance to think about what happened.  He knew their line of work was dangerous, but never could he imagine that two firemen would be injured, one fatally, returning from a fire.  It angered Brice that this was no accident and that someone deliberately threw the brick from the overpass. "Take him to room one." Dixie said as Brice wheeled Johnny around the corner. Chet followed behind the gurney carrying Gage.  Dixie stopped Chet from walking into the treatment room.  "It's best you let us work on him, Chet." "But Dixie." Chet tried to continue. "He'll be okay." "Dix, he got really upset and scared.  He can't see with his eyes wrapped.  He needs to hear familiar voices."  Chet pleaded with the head nurse. Dixie looked at the weary fireman.  She knew they came from fighting a bad fire before the accident occurred.  She could only imagine what was going on in his mind. "I know Chet, but he's with family now.  Where's Roy?  He's not the DOA is he?"  Dixie gasped as the thought suddenly occurred to her realizing that it was Squad 51 in the accident and there was one fatality.  Her faced paled believing Roy was the casualty. Chet saw Dixie's distress.  "Dix, Roy was off half shift.  Adam Pratt was driving the squad."  Chet couldn't say Adam Pratt was killed.  He couldn't get those words out.  Sure he saw other fatalities.  He even knew fellow firefighters that lost their lives.  But Chet never witnessed it during his own shift. Dixie's professional attitude returned and she escorted Chet to the doctor's lounge.  "Chet, why don't you wait here?  As soon as I know anything I'll come and tell you." "Okay Dix.  Just let 'em know, let 'em know..."Chet trailed off, unable to complete his statement.  The adrenaline was wearing down and Chet's emotions were getting the best of him.  His shoulders sagged and he lowered his head. Dixie patted the stocky Irishman on the arm, "I'm sure he knows, but I will tell him."  Chet sat down on the hard, plastic chair and rubbed his face with his sooty hands.  He knew he had a long wait ahead of him. Dixie walked into treatment room one.  Doctors Early and Morton were tending to Johnny.  His uniform was cut away and he was draped in a sheet.  Dixie saw the numerous cuts on his face.  His eyes were still wrapped in the gauze. "Are there any fragments in either eye?"  Dixie asked. Morton looked up realizing she was in the room.  "We won't know.  Grainger from Ophthalmology is on call and on her way down. "We're going to need x-rays of his abdomen and his right arm."  Early stated to Carol. "Yes Doctor." Johnny started to moan.  Dixie walked over to him and picked up his left hand. "Shhh Johnny.  It's okay."  She softly said while maintaining contact with the stricken man. Johnny opened his eyes and tried to look around, but couldn't because his eyes were covered. "Hey."  Dixie said noticing Johnny's movements.  "You're in Rampart.  You were in an accident." Johnny tried to move his arms, but moving his right arm caused him to groan. Dr. Early moved closer to Johnny to be within his line of sound.  "Johnny where do you hurt?" Johnny didn't answer, but continued to moan. Early touched Johnny on his shoulder.  "Johnny, try to concentrate on what I'm asking you.  Where's the pain?" Johnny opened his mouth to say something.  He lifted his left arm and moved it to his face.  Morton grabbed his hand, before he could touch his face. Early patted Johnny's shoulder.  "That's okay Johnny.  We got a pretty good idea where you hurt.  We're gonna take x-rays and then Dr. Grainger will check on your eyes." After saying that, the doors to the treatment room opened and the x-ray technician entered.  The two nurses and two doctors left so this man could do his job. Carol left the group to deliver blood to the lab.  The three remained outside, talking with one another.  Roy rushed around the corner which brought their attention, and gaze to him. "How is he?"  Roy asked, partly panicked and partly out of breath. "He's okay, Roy.  I don't expect any internal injuries.  He's got some broken ribs and a broken right arm.  His right ankle is swollen.  And he has numerous cuts on his face from the glass."  Morton stated. "Glass?"  Roy asked with concern. Brice was still in the hospital and walked over to the group.  "How's Gage?" Morton continued, "the glass from the windshield." "DeSoto, the windshield shattered and there were glass fragments everywhere." "His eyes?"  Roy sighed almost afraid to ask. "Grainger is on her way down.  We won't know until she does her evaluation.  We left the bandages covering his eyes. The x-ray tech opened the door to let himself and the portable machine out.  "I'm going to need those films STAT."  Morton stated. The two doctors walked back in.  Dixie walked back to the base station with Roy and Brice following her. "How bad was it Brice?"  Roy asked, needing to know. Brice looked at Roy.  He took his glasses off and proceeded to clean them with his handkerchief. "Bad.  The squad is totaled." "Cap told me Adam didn't make it?" Roy said, part of him hoping his boss was wrong and Adam was in another treatment room. Brice shook his head. "He didn't have a chance. He hit the steering wheel with blunt force.  Stoker saw several kids on the overpass watching.  The police are looking for them.  It's believed they threw the brick that caused the crash." Dixie was startled by what Brice said.  "You mean this wasn't an accident.  This was deliberate?"  Dixie's anger was apparent. "The police will make that determination, Miss McCall." "But Adam…." Roy trailed off. "Didn't know Pratt."  Brice said.  "Heard he was a good man."  Brice picked up his medical supplies.  "Tell John we're thinking of him."  Brice then walked away. "Brice really must be upset."  Dixie said. "What makes you say that?"  Roy asked. "He used Johnny's first name." "Oh." "Roy, I have to go for a bit. I'll be back. By the way, Chet is in the lounge." "Okay, Dix, and thanks." As Dixie walked away, Roy stood, staring oblivious to all around him. 'My god. I should have been in the squad. I should have been the one…' Suddenly Roy bolted toward the men's room. He could feel the bile crawling up the back of his throat. He was barely inside the cubicle and on his knees in front of the toilet before he was heaving up the contents of his stomach. *&*&*&*&* "And so, you need to always be sure that your subject and verb agree in your sentence.  Okay?  For example, in the sentence 'The boy cry himself to sleep,' what should the verb be?  Kevin?  Are you listening to this?" "Yes, ma'am," Kevin muttered from his desk without looking up at his teacher.  His left hand propped up his chin and his right hand held a pencil that he used for drawing explosions on the ground around the tank he had just finished on the back of his English folder. "'The boy cry himself to sleep.'  What's wrong with that sentence?  Marcy?" 'Of course Marcy'll get it right.  What would dumb ol' Marcy think if she knew what I did on the way to school?  What would any of these dumb people in here think?  Oh, man, I'm in trouble….nah, that fireman's probably okay.  They probably don't even care who threw that brick.  Maybe they found out it was even something else that caused the wreck. Maybe a tire blew out or something.   Maybe it wasn't me at all!  I don't really care anyway.' "'The presents is all for you.'  Who can tell me what the correct verb is for that sentence?" 'I wonder what Kip is doing.  Boy, he'd better not tell anybody or I'm in deep shit.  I hope he's scared enough now not to talk.  I think I scared him this morning.  Huh…it's not hard to scare him anyway.' He finished drawing a dark puddle under the head of a decapitated soldier on his battlefield artwork.  He sighed and raised his head to look out the window of his classroom.  He felt his blood turn to ice as he watched a police car turn into the driveway.  It pulled up to the front door of the school building and shut off its engine.  An officer got out and slammed the car door, then disappeared into the school building. *&*&*&*&* The pain made itself known to Johnny.  He began to panic, not knowing where he was.  He tried to open his eyes, but something was preventing him from doing so.  When he tried to move, he groaned from the pain shooting though his body and head.  The orderly noticed Johnny stirring, just as he was finishing up.  On his way out of the room, he notified the doctors. Morton was the first one who went back to the room, quickly followed by a nurse. "Get me a new set of vitals."  Morton demanded sternly.  He bent down to get closer to Gage.  "Johnny, it's Mike Morton.  You were in an accident.  I know you're in pain, but we can't give you anything until we rule out a concussion. Sheila Grainger is coming down to check on your eyes." Johnny's left hand was rolled up in a ball, fighting the pain. "Doc?"  Johnny said weakly. Morton bent nearer to the paramedic.  "Yes Gage?" "Roy?" "Roy is okay.  He's outside.  I'll let him come in after Grainger sees you." "Not hurt?" Morton realized that Johnny wasn't aware that Roy was not with him in the squad and that Adam was his partner for the last twelve hours. "No, Roy is okay."  As Morton said that, Sheila Grainger entered the room with Joe Early. Seconds later Dixie joined the group of medical professionals in the room. "Johnny?  It's Joe Early and I've got Sheila Grainger with me.  She's going to remove the bandages and look into your eyes. "'Kay," weakly came out of his mouth. "Eye hurts." Dr Grainger looked at Joe Early and then put her hand on Johnny's shoulder as a sign of support and comfort. "Johnny?  I'm Dr Grainger.  I will tell you everything I'm going to do before I do it.  We're going to lower the lights in here so I can get a good look in your eyes.  I'm also going to put some anesthetic drops in your eyes.  I promise it won't hurt."  Her voice was very soothing and Johnny's body relaxed a bit. "I'm going to take the bandages off.  Mike Morton, Joe Early and Dixie McCall are here with me.  When I take the bandages off, don't open your eyes until I tell you to." Johnny was in pain, but he was also afraid.  He mustered the courage and said, "go ahead." Grainger removed the bandages from Johnny's head.  She took her penlight out.  "I'm going to take the gauze pad off your right eye.  Remember don't open it.  Let me lift your eye lid." She did as she said she would.  She applied the anesthetic drops to his right eye and waited.  After a minute, she proceeded. "Okay Johnny.  I'm going to lift your eyelid.  I promise you it won't hurt." Johnny took a deep breath, feeling her hand near his face.  As she pulled back the eyelid, Johnny cringed slightly and a soft moan escaped from his lips as the harsh light from her penlight assaulted his senses. "Sensitive, I see. I'm sorry Johnny, I promise to be quick."  Grainger examined his eye using the light.  She brought a magnifying lens to his face to look at his eye.  After checking his right eye for five minutes, she applied a medicated pad to his eye.  The coolness of the pad contacting Johnny's face made him relax. "So far so good Johnny.  Now I'm going to check your left eye."  Once again Grainger applied the anesthetic drops to his left eye before checking it for any injury. This time though, when Grainger shone the light in his eye, Johnny reacted stiffly.  A burning, tearing sensation flooded him, causing him to tense up.   The sensation of the light caused Johnny to experience a flashback.  He saw Adam die.  Johnny muffled a scream and punched out with his left arm.   His reaction startled everyone in the room. Dixie walked over to Johnny to settle him down. "Johnny?  It's Dixie.  Dr Grainger is almost done.  Are you okay?" Johnny didn't answer.  He bit his lip and his body began to visibly shake.  Morton noticed Johnny's actions and decided that a new round of vitals were needed. "Doctor, his BP is 180/110, pulse is 130 and respirations are 50." Morton looked at Early. "Did you see anything in his eyes?" Early asked Grainger. "I need to look in his left eye again.  I'm afraid there is some glass in there." "Carol, 10 mg of Diazepam, IV push."  Early told his nurse.  He walked over to this patient and bent down to speak with him.  "Johnny.  I'm going to give you something to relax you.  Dr Grainger needs to look at your eye." "Concussion?"  Johnny asked, knowing that tranquilizers were avoided when a concussion is expected. Early smiled.  The thought that Johnny knew the ramifications of the Valium brought his awareness level higher. "It's okay Johnny.  Even if you have a mild concussion, the Valium won't interfere." Johnny smiled, but no one knew if it was the drug getting into his bloodstream or Early's reassurance.  "Johnny, Dr Grainger needs to look in your left eye.  She's going to come back over." "M'kay."  The words were difficult to say with his body numbing and relaxing. Dr. Grainger moved over to where Early was standing.  "Johnny it's me again.  I'm going to lift up the patch and I'll lift up your lid.  The anesthetic is in long enough, so it won't hurt this time.  Again, let me lift your lid.  Are you ready?" His lips moved to say something, but no words came out.  Johnny raised his arm and indicated an okay sign. The lights in the treatment room were lowered.  Grainger removed the pad.  She gently lifted Johnny's eyelid and turn on her penlight.  Johnny didn't react to the light like he did last time.  The Valium was doing what it was supposed to do.  Morton came over to assist her and brought the magnifying lens to her. "Anything?"  Early asked. "I do see several slivers in his eye.  One is near the sclera and iris.  They're both small.  There are other nicks on the cornea."  She turned the pen light off and took the medicated pad and placed it over his closed eye.  The lights went back on in the room as the x-ray technician came back in with the developed films.  They were handed to Morton, who took them over to the light box.  "There may be others, but I'll be better able to determine that during surgery. "Well, he's got a clear break in his right radius.  The ribs are not broken, so that's good.  And the ankle is okay too."  Morton said. "I'll need to schedule surgery for him to remove those slivers."  Grainger told the group. "We'll have him prepped and sent up.  Afterwards, he'll go to Orthopedics for casting."  Early said. *&*&*&*&* Kip released a sigh he hadn't even realized he was holding.  He was watching the departing police car from the windows of the choir room on the second floor.  He'd seen the officer go into the school building and remain there for about ten minutes, then leave again.  Now, with his sense of relief, the thoughts came pouring into Kip's brain… 'Oh, man…he's gone.  Maybe he was just coming in here to talk about people speeding through the school zone in the mornings, or a stolen bicycle or something.  Maybe I don't need to worry anyway.  If I get through this without getting in trouble, I'm gonna stay away from that Kevin.  He's dangerous.  Oh, great…did Miss Bailey say to get out that spiritual again?  I hate that one.  I want to work on that Latin one…it's so cool.  I wonder if Kevin's gonna be mad when I tell him I'm not gonna be his friend anymore.  Boy, I hope not.  He probably won't be too mad, anyway.  He's probably got a lot of other friends.' "I'm goin' down that lonesome road…" the choir sang. *&*&*&*&* The team had Johnny's next few hours plotted out.  Dixie realized a very anxious Roy DeSoto was waiting outside for some word.  She took it upon herself to fill him in. "Roy, come with me to the lounge."  Roy followed her, dreading what he was about to hear.  "What happened to Chet?" "He had to leave, but said he'd be back.  Coffee Dix?"  He offered holding the pot in air. "Sure, why not." Roy poured two cups of coffee and placed one in front of Dixie. "The good news, Roy is Johnny only has a broken arm.  His ribs and ankle are bruised."  Dixie looked away. "And the bad news?"  Roy was biting his lip in anticipation of what the head nurse was going to say. "Dr Grainger will operate on his left eye.  There are glass fragments in it and she has to remove them." "One is near the retina and the other is near the iris.  She didn't say how deep they were or if there would be any permanent damage.  We didn't discuss it." "So Johnny might lose his vision in that eye." Patting Roy's arm, Dixie continued, "now Roy, we don't know that.  Grainger is the best.  And Johnny's…." Roy didn't let her continue.  He stood up.  "DON'T TELL ME JOHNNY'S YOUNG.  He is young and could still be blind.  Of all the stupid, mindless things that could happen."  Roy sat back down and placed his head in his hands. "You know he asked for you." "He what?" "He asked if you were hurt.  I guess he didn't realize your weren't in the squad with him."  Dixie couldn't mention Adam's name.  "Johnny eased up a bit when he was told you were fine." "So he doesn't know about Adam, does he?"  Roy asked. Dixie shook his head.  "It's not uncommon to suffer some sort of amnesia.  Brice even said Johnny was asking for you at the scene." "Maybe he does remember and doesn't want to."  Roy said.  If Roy only knew the truth to what he just said. *&*&*&*&* Qui aper sanctam, crucem, tuam…" "Alright, guys, for the last time…it's croo-chem, not croo-sem or croo-shem!  I've told you before to mark it in your music so we don't have to stop there again!  Right…now…from the top!" Kip sighed in annoyance at the boys who were still pronouncing the Latin incorrectly.  Miss Bailey was right…she had told them how to pronounce that "c" the first day of rehearsal, and some of them still were getting it wrong.  Now they had to waste time going over the same stuff.  And the girls in the choir only looked smug and triumphant at not having gotten in trouble.  Kip wondered if he were the only student in the room who even cared about trying to make this ensemble sound decent.  He sighed again. "Adoramus te, Christe…" Kip had momentarily forgotten the morning's events, but the knot in his belly reminded him now. 'I wonder how that fireman is…he looked pretty bad when they put him in the ambulance.  Hey, wait a minute…weren't they taking him out of the passenger's side of the truck?  That means there had to be another fireman driving…oh, great…I wonder if he's okay.  Maybe he is, since they were working on the other guy.' Kip had allowed himself to become a little more relaxed since he'd seen the police car drive away, but with this new worry, he could feel himself go pale and the knot in his stomach tightened once again. Miss Bailey's voice interrupted his thoughts.  "For the last ten minutes of class, I'd like all the boys to go over to the piano with Kip and work on your Latin diction.  Kip, would you help them with pronunciation and play their part along with them while they practice?" "Yes, ma'am." *&*&*&*&* Johnny was up in recovery.  The operation was a success and the glass slivers were successfully removed from his left eye.  Dr. Grainger believed there would be no permanent loss of vision.  Both eyes were bandaged, so as not to strain the uninjured eye.  Within an hour, Johnny would be brought down to Orthopedics so his arm would be put in a cast.  Finally, Johnny would be given a room.  His level of consciousness faded in and out.  In his most lucid moments, Johnny remembered the accident.  He smelled the blood, his blood and Adam's blood.  There also was an acidy smell of antifreeze leaking from the squad that he remembered.  Then there were the sounds of metal hitting metal and Adam's bones breaking.  As his memory registered, his blood pressure shot up and he became agitated again.  He saw Adam look into his eyes, weakly cry out his name, and then die.  These thoughts were too much for the injured man.  A nurse came over to observe Johnny's vitals.  She was surprised to see how his blood pressure and pulse had shot up. She believed it was due to the pain he was in, so she adjusted his medication. *&*&*&*&* Kevin sighed and shifted in his desk.  Man, it seemed like this class would never end.  But English class always seemed that way.  At least that stupid Marcy was gone.  She'd been called from the room about fifteen minutes ago, right after that police car drove away.  Ha…maybe she'd been the one the cops had come for!  Yeah, sure… The classroom door opened again and Marcy reappeared.  Kevin watched her as she scooted into her seat two rows over from him.  As she settled and was opening her English book, she glanced over toward Kevin and caught him looking at her.  Kevin quickly looked back down at his sketching, but not before catching a superior smirk on Marcy's face. 'Stupid ol' Marcy…they're probably giving her some great job to do in the office, or more special privileges so she gets to miss class or something.  I hate her.  She thinks she's so great.' The bell finally rang. *&*&*&*&* "When can I see him Doc?"  Roy asked of Joe Early. "He'll be moved to a room within the hour.  I'll let you see him, cause I know that A. you'd sneak in there anyway, and B. you'll calm him down.  We're a bit concerned about his blood pressure.  The ICU nurse observed some moments of lucidity accompanied by his high blood pressure." "He's reliving the accident."  Roy stated, biting the inside of his cheek. "I believe so.  With you there, talking to him, you may be able to settle him down." "How was Adam killed?" Joe Early was uncomfortable answering that question.  He felt for Roy and Johnny and didn't believe this information would help either one of them.  But he understood Roy's need to know. "Roy, it's against my better judgment to tell you.  But I will, and hope you'll come to terms with it in time."  Joe took a deep breath.  "The coroner determined Adam suffered a fatal blow when his chest contacted the steering wheel with blunt force.  That accounted for all of the blood at the scene. I'm sure Captain Stanley informed you about the specifics of the accident this morning." Roy nodded his head in acknowledgment. His mind temporarily drifted back to the conversation he had with his Captain, and what he]was told. The scene was horrible; the squad totaled, blood everywhere and how Johnny survived, was nothing short of a miracle. He could only imagine what Johnny witnessed, and remembered before losing consciousness. "Was Adam killed instantly?" Joe shook his head.  "The coroner believes Adam survived the impact but died due to the blood loss.  From what I've heard, he was clutching Johnny's jacket when he died. They had to cut the fabric away to extricate him from the squad. They didn't want to jostle Johnny any more than they had too." Roy couldn't listen any longer to the account of the accident. He stood, and wanted to run from the room, run from this nightmare that would follow them all for a long time to come.  The panic in his eyes alerted Joe Early. "Come on Roy, sit down.  Johnny won't remember a thing.  Most accident victims suffer from amnesia.  Knowing our Johnny, he won't recall this accident."  Early put his arm on Roy's back, beckoning him to sit down. Softly Roy said, "I know doc, but it just doesn't seem right.  I mean, I met Adam for the first time yesterday and now he's dead.  And Johnny..." "And Johnny could be dead too, but he's not Roy.  He's going to need all of your support to get him through this, once he realizes what happened to Adam." Roy ran his hand through his thinning hair.  Part of him wanted to laugh, not a joyful laugh, but a sorrowful one at the senselessness of the situation, but an even bigger part of him want to shed tears. "Cap told me the Chief is going to arrange for all of us to go to grief counseling sessions." "That's a good idea.  And when Johnny's up to it, he'll go too."  Joe looked at his watch and then said, "let's go see if he's settled in." For the first time, since receiving the news, Roy was able to forge a slight smile onto his face.  The two men walked toward the elevator in silence. "Roy, let me check him first, before you come in," Joe said, placing a hand on Roy's chest to stop him. I've also instructed the staff that you're to be allowed unlimited access to him." "Thanks Doc." "But Roy," Joe cautioned, "what that means is that you are to go home to your wife and children.  I do not want you doing a 24 hour vigil, especially if you're scheduled to work.  Do I make myself clear?"  Joe said, pointing his finger at Roy's face. Roy smiled again and nodded his head in agreement. Roy stood outside going over the last twenty-four hours of his own life, while Joe stepped into Johnny's room.  Their day was quiet for the most part with minimal runs.  They had one of their typical discussions about one of the new nurses at Rampart.  The phantom made an appearance, giving the unusually slow day a bit of a lift. Roy leaned back against the wall and smiled, remembering how Chet's prank against Johnny backfired. 'Dammit,' he cursed, 'It was just a normal, typical day.'  Then JoAnne got sick, and needed me home to take Chris to band practice. 'If JoAnne hadn't of gotten sick...If Chris' practice had been another day…' Roy swallowed hard.  He felt a knot building in the pit of his stomach as he realized the alternative. 'Oh God no…It would have been me in the morgue instead of...' He couldn't bring himself to say Adam's name. Then it occurred to him, Johnny wasn't driving the squad.  'Why weren't you driving the squad, Junior? When I'm not there, you're the one behind the wheel.' The door to Johnny's room opened and interrupted Roy's thoughts. Looking up, he saw Joe motion to him. "Roy, you can come in now," Joe said.  "He's resting comfortably now.  He's on pain medication for his arm, but it's a mild dose.  There were no signs of a concussion.  His eyes will remain bandaged for a few days, to allow the swelling to go down."  Roy glanced over at Joe. He opened his mouth, but was unable to form any words.  As if reading Roy's thoughts, Joe answered the question he knew several people would be asking. "We won't know about his left eye until the bandages come off."  Early patted Roy on the back.  "Go sit with him, Roy.  It'll do both of you a world of good." "Thanks Doc," Roy said in his humbled tone.  He pulled a lot of strength from his friends, and right now, Doctor Early was top on the list. Roy walked over to the chair that was placed along side [of] the bed for him.  He smiled, recognizing that someone left him a cup of coffee.  Before taking a seat, he scanned his partner's physique, taking inventory of Johnny's physical appearance. Roy noted Johnny's arm in a cast, but that didn't bother him.  What upset him was seeing the nicks and cuts over most of Johnny's face.  Even though his eyes were covered with bandages, he couldn't ignore the little scabs and stitches on Johnny's cheeks, lips, chin and neck.  Roy closed his eyes, and fought back the urge to run from the room. He couldn't imagine what it must have felt like to have all that safety glass buried into his face.  Taking a seat, Roy picked up his coffee, and took a sip of the hot beverage. He grimaced.  It wasn't sweet enough for him. Setting the coffee onto the bedside table, he moved his chair a bit closer to the bed, and started talking to his friend. "Hey Johnny, its Roy."  Roy laughed at how silly that sentence sounded, he thought.  Shrugging his shoulders to no one in particular, he continued.  "Doc Early said your arm would be okay and your ribs and ankle too.  I'm sure you are wondering about your eyes.  Dr. Grainger is the best and from what Dixie told me, your left eye will be just fine.  You're gonna have to wear those bandages for few days. I know you won't like that, but it will give your eyes a chance to rest.  If you want, I can bring you a radio to listen to.  And if there are any books or magazines or newspapers you want me to read to you, I will."  Roy paused to collect his thoughts. "Wheels and Gears?" Johnny croaked, licking at his dry and sore lips. He grimaced as the puffy folds began to sting, which only caused him to groan when he felt his entire face begin to burn from the damage that had been done.  Roy looked at Johnny, startled.  He didn't expect to hear from his partner considering his sedation. "Johnny, relax, pal. I know you hurt, but you will be okay, soon," Roy said, his words soothing and warm. He closed his eyes sending up a small prayer that he was right, that everyone else was right. 'You have to be okay Johnny. You have to get your sight back again,' Roy thought, swallowing the lump that suddenly formed in his throat.   Roy moved closer so Johnny so his best friend wouldn't have to strain to talk. "If Wheels and Gears is what you want Junior, then I'll read it to you," Roy said with firm intention. A slight smile appeared on the wounded man's face. "You 'kay?" "Yes Johnny, I'm fine." "Wha, what happened?"  Johnny said, licking his lips, and again grimaced from the stinging.  "Do you want some water?" Roy asked reaching over to the water pitcher on the bedside table. "Mmmm." "Okay," Roy said pouring a glass. After putting the pitcher back, he grabbed a straw and stuck it in the cup. "I'm gonna move the cup closer to you and put the straw in your mouth.  Sip it slowly."  Roy said, aiding his friend while Johnny took tentative sips.  Johnny's sipping activity stopped so Roy removed the straw slowly from his friends' mouth.  "Wha happened?"  Roy cringed. He hoped Johnny wouldn't have remembered his question. He didn't know how much to tell his injured friend.  If he were in Johnny's situation, he'd want to know, so Roy made his decision not to sugar coat his answer.  That didn't mean he would tell Johnny everything.  He would only answer direct questions.  Clearing his throat Roy started to answer, "The squad was in an accident." "You 'kay?" Roy laughed.  Johnny was always thinking about the other guy.  "Yes, I'm fine." "Good.  Tired now.  You go home.  Kiss the kids for me."  Each word was a struggle for Johnny to say, but he said it. *&*&*&*&* "Hey, Kip!" Kevin called across the noisy lunchroom.  "C'mere!" Kip stopped where he was searching for an unoccupied table and looked toward Kevin who was gesturing for him.  Oh, well…there didn't seem to be an empty table anyway.  He walked to Kevin's table with his lunch tray and sat down across from him wordlessly. He and Kevin ate their sandwiches in silence for a few minutes.  Then Kevin said, "There was a police car here this morning." "Yeah, I saw it." More silence.  Kip tore open a sack of Fritos.  He looked into the sack for a minute, then handed it across the table. "Here.  You want these?" Kevin took them and started munching. "What'smatter?  You not hungry?" he asked around a mouthful. "Not really." "How come?" "I dunno." Kip opened his carton of milk and inserted the straw.  At the next table, four rowdy boys began laughing loudly over something.  One of them, a Hispanic youth, threw an M & M at a sandy-haired kid in a red paisley shirt.  The victim scooted his chair back in his effort to avoid the missile and his chair tipped over with a bang.  He and the entire table broke up in hysterics.  Kip, drinking his milk, found himself wishing he were part of that group. "Hey, Kip," Kevin said.  "I got some cigarettes.  You wanna go out back and have one later?" "Huh?"  Kip was still watching the guys at the next table.  A girl joined them and was talking to the boy who was now raising and straightening his chair. "You ever had a cigarette?  You wanna have one before you gotta go back to class?" "No.  Thanks." "What're you looking at, anyway?"  Kevin turned his eyes toward the group at the next table.  "Oh, God…there's that bitch Marcy again." Kip didn't know Marcy, but he noticed that when the girl began talking to the sandy-haired boy at the table, the laughter had died.  Now the boy stood up, his face ashen, and went toward the hall, his pace increasing to a jog by the time he reached the cafeteria door.  The others at the table watched him soberly. "Chris, WALK when you're in the building!" the boys' gym teacher admonished on his way in the door. *&*&*&*&* As Roy drove his pickup truck home, his mind swirled, remembering everything from the moment he received the phone call from his Captain, up until now. He was glad it was still early enough in the day that the kids were still in school. He didn't really feel like trying to explain to them what happened to their Uncle Johnny, and that he was in the hospital, possibly blind. 'How do you tell young children that their favorite "uncle" might not ever see again, and the things, the games, the places he had taken them, he won't be able to do anymore, at least not in the same way. Every time Johnny lands in the hospital, my kids get upset; they worry, about him, about me. Dammit Why?' Twenty-minutes later, Roy pulled into his driveway.  He sat in the parked truck for several long minutes, wondering what he was going to tell his wife. Glancing up, he noticed JoAnne standing in the doorway, waiting for him. Climbing out of his truck, he trudged up the path to the house, wearing a grim expression. "How is he?"  JoAnne asked, guiding her husband inside the house, then closing the door. Roy turned and gazed sadly into JoAnne's face before wrapping his arms around her, drawing her tightly into his body.  Burying his head into JoAnne, he wove his fingers through her dark hair as he silently wept. Finally, pulling back, Roy explained, "Well, he's got a broken arm and some bruised ribs.  His ankle is also swollen.  He's got about 50 stitches in his face."  Roy paused and looked into JoAnne's eyes.  "He also had some glass fragments removed from his left eye. JoAnne gasped hearing the news.  "Is he..." Roy raised his hand to stop JoAnne from finishing the sentence.  "Don't know yet, but Grainger is the best and she believes his vision will be okay.  We won't know for a few days yet." "A few days?" "Yeah he's got to wear the bandages to let the swelling go down." Taking JoAnne's hand, they walked into the living room and sat on the couch. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her into his body. Closing his eyes, he took comfort from his wife and savored the feel of her in his arms; grateful he was able to do so. As he sat, he recalled the many times that he and Johnny traveled that very strip of road, and at the same hour of the day. Moisture began to collect in his eyes. Suddenly, unable to stop them, the tears rolled down his cheeks. JoAnne sat content in her husband's arms, offering him the comfort she knew he'd only seek from her. She felt his body tremble against hers. She knew he was letting go, allowing his emotions to spill, as he wept for his friend. The sound of clock on the mantel ticking away was the only sound heard inside the DeSoto's house for several long minutes. A car driving along the street backfiring caused both JoAnne and Roy to jump. Roy moved away from his wife and rubbed his hands over his face, trying to remove the evidence of his tears.  He always maintained a strong facade in front of his family. All the years he had known JoAnne, he had only broken down twice. Once, when his dad passed on, and the other when they nearly lost Chris as a baby. "It's okay to cry, Roy," JoAnne said softly. Roy nodded. "I know, but..." "But nothing, Roy. Something very tragic happened this morning, and..." "And I could have been part of it?" "Maybe, maybe not. It is something we will never know." Roy stood and walked over to the window. Staring out into his front yard, he took in the beauty of the day. Something many took for granted. Something his friend may never see again. "I love you Jo," he said, the words barely escaping his lips. "I know, Roy, and I love you too." *&*&*&*&* The pain medications were wearing off.  Johnny had no idea what the time of day was.  He reached around for the call button, but couldn't find it.  "Roy," he rasped.  Wasn't Roy with him?  "Roy?  ROY?"  He must have gone home.  Johnny tried to sit up to find the call button, but his arms and ribs hurt too much.  The pain was so intense it caused him to see a flash of white light.  The flash brought back the last visualization Johnny remembered, Adam. "Adam.  No Adam.  NO ADAM!"  The shouts started. A nurse doing her rounds heard the screams. Running into the room, she found Johnny thrashing around in his bed and pulling at the bandages on his face. The nurse quickly ran to Johnny's side. After hitting the intercom button and summoning help, she grabbed the paramedic's wrists and began talking to him in a calm soothing tone. "It's okay Johnny. You're safe. You have to calm down," she said. Suddenly, Morton and two other nurses hurried into the room. "I can't get him to calm down," the nurse said, almost breathless. Morton raced over to the opposite side of the bed and grabbed Johnny's arms from the struggling nurse. "Gage, Calm down," he ordered.  "Get me 10 mg diazepam."  Morton yelled when Johnny showed no signs of relenting any with his agitation. One of the nurses ran out of the room to get the ordered drug. The other two assisted Morton, trying to restrain the paramedic. "Johnny, it's Mike.  Mike Morton. You're okay.  You're in Rampart," Mike said, his tone softer. "Adam!"  Johnny screamed out. When the nurse came back into the room with the syringe, she handed it to Morton who inserted it into the IV port.  Within seconds, the drug began to take effect and the struggling man's body became limp as he relaxed. "Adam….no Adam,"  Johnny whispered, his lip bleeding from having bit it during the struggle.  "Get me a new set of vitals.  And why is his call button on the floor, Nurse?  Don't you know it should be within his grip?" Morton growled, pulling his stethoscope from his pocket. "Yes doctor."  The nurse said as she picked up the items that were on the floor. Morton tended to Johnny's lip as the nurse told him Johnny's vitals.  Although his vitals were high, Morton felt it was attributed to [the] trauma Johnny [went] through. "Johnny, I'm going to wrap the call button around your wrist, so you won't lose it. When you wake up later, we'll get you some food. I know Roy spoke with you and told you about your surgery.  YOU ARE GOING TO BE OKAY." Mike said in a mild tone. Johnny's shoulders relaxed a bit hearing Morton's soothing voice.  Seeing this, Morton realized Johnny was afraid to be alone.  "Tell ya what I'm gonna do, Gage.  I'm going to call your friends over at 51 and see if we can have someone be here with you, so that when you wake up, you won't be alone." "Not 'fraid," the injured man said. Morton smiled.  "It has nothing to do with you being afraid, Johnny.  I just don't need you ripping your bandages off or scaring the nurses here." "Kay, doc.  Can't fight you."  Johnny raised his uninjured arm and touched Morton's forearm.  Morton in turn placed Johnny's arm back on the bed and tapped it.  "For now, Nurse Manos will sit with you.  And I'm on call tonight so if you need something, just tell her to get me." "Thanks, doc."  Johnny whispered. When his breathing became more regular, Morton figured his patient was asleep.  He took his glasses off and cleaned them using his dirty scrubs.  He took Nurse Manos to the front of the room. "If he gets agitated again, continue with the diazepam.  Don't let him grab at his bandages and call me." "Yes doctor." Morton left Johnny's room and made his way to a telephone.  He'd start with Roy. *&*&*&*&* Near the school office, by the front doors, were two pay phones.  Chris DeSoto hung up one of them now, breathing more easily.  He thought his dad should be okay, but the phone call had confirmed it.  He had to make sure...after all, more than once his dad had suddenly been called in when there was a brush fire, or to fill in for someone who'd been injured.  But he was okay.  However, it had been a horrible accident, and Uncle Johnny was in the hospital.  That was almost as bad.  His mom hadn't wanted to tell him about that, but she either had to tell him or lie to him when he asked. He hadn't recognized the name of the paramedic who died.  Adam Something.  He was so upset about Uncle Johnny when his mom told him that he hadn't really listened.  Chris was confident, though, that he hadn't let his mom know how worried he was.  He was reaching the age where it was important to appear unconcerned with adult matters.  So he was very cool and casual during the conversation.  But now he was thinking about what Marcy had said, and feeling his anger rise.  Some kids threw a concrete block that hit the squad and caused the wreck.  Marcy was called into the office because she walked to and from school along the road where the culprits had been standing.  The school officials hoped she might know something that would help them.  Some kids…had thrown a concrete block…  They just threw a concrete block at his father's squad…because they thought it would be fun.  Chris clenched his teeth and screwed his eyes shut to keep the tears from coming. *&*&*&*&* Kip sat at his desk in history class trying to keep his eyelids from falling shut as the teacher droned on.  It was difficult to remain alert for any class that met immediately after lunch.  But this class had the disadvantage of having as its teacher one of the football coaches at the school.  His lectures on history were not exactly engrossing. As Kip's mind wandered, so did his eyes.  He only knew five or six kids in this class.  The coach didn't seem to have any plans that included much interaction among the students, so the others just remained faces.  As Kip scanned the rest of the room, he noticed a sandy-haired boy sitting in the row of seats by the windows.  Kip could only see the back of his head, so he couldn't be sure if he were the same sandy-haired boy who got so upset in the lunchroom earlier.  What he could see of the boy's red paisley shirt looked the same, though. "Hey, Clint," he whispered to the student in front of him.  "Do you know that kid in the red shirt over by the windows?" Clint leaned forward and took a look.  "Yeah.  Why?" "What's his name?" "Chris DeSoto.  And his dad's a fireman," he added.  "He works at the station that had that wreck this morning." Kip was startled to hear that.  After a few seconds, he just said, "Oh."  That explained a lot of what he'd seen at lunch. Kip sat back in his seat.  He was afraid the coach might yell at him for talking, but the coach's face was still pointed downward and his eyes were still focused on his notes. After about a minute, Kip leaned forward again.  "Is he okay?" "Yeah, he's pretty nice," Clint, whispered back. "No…his dad…is he okay?" "Oh.  Yeah.  He wasn't in the truck" Kip breathed his first small sigh of relief of the day. "The driver's dead, though." "WHAT?!" The coach peered up from his notes while continuing to read aloud about Secretary of State Seward's purchase of Alaska.  The boys remained quiet until he appeared to forget them again. "The fireman who was driving that truck that wrecked…he's dead," Clint repeated, pleased that he could be the one to report such big news to someone who hadn't heard it yet. "How do you know?  Are you sure?" "Yeah.  Aaron's dad was driving him to school this morning right past the wreck.  They slowed down and watched 'em put one guy in the ambulance and a yellow sheet over the other guy.  And I heard from Terri that he was the driver." Kip sank limply back into his seat.  "Oh, gosh…oh, my gosh…oh, my gosh…"  His ears filled with a rushing, hissing sound, and the room began to go black.  He hardly heard Clint's next words. "And get this…somebody threw a cement block off the overpass and that's what caused it.  They think it was some kids right here from this school!" continue